It was a lengthy process getting the former Southampton youth star to sign his previous deal and Wenger is bracing himself for another contract battle this time around.

“The first contacts have been established with the embassy! We will see how that progresses politically. Walcott was difficult to convince (last time) and that’s why it took us much time,” he explained.

“We started very early with him but it was slow progress. He is very quick on the pitch but off the pitch, not always.”

Walcott spent much of 2014 on the sidelines nursing a long-term knee injury but since coming back in the New Year he has yet to establish himself as a first-team regular, making just two Premier League starts.

Wenger has an array of attacking talent available to him at the Emirates nowadays, and as such Keown feels Walcott can’t afford to over exert himself when negotiating a new deal.

“If you look at the number of games he has come off the bench it’s quite stunning. He hasn’t cemented himself after ten years that he has been at the football club,” he explained.

“It’s nothing new for Arsene Wenger, I think he wants to keep him there and you need that option and that pace that he gives you.

“But you couldn’t call him a first-choice player, it’s all about negotiations with Arsene Wenger. He’s laying down the message, ‘don’t take liberties, we will pay you a fair amount but don’t go over the top’.”

Tom Thorogood

I'm a 27 year old language teacher and writer based out in Mexico with a passion for football and swimming. I like to focus on the top European Leagues, especially La Liga, as well as the footballing development in Central and South America. My favourite teams include Derby County, Barcelona and Jagaures de Chiapas.